News
YP Health Bus in doubt |
Tuesday, 3 June 2008 - YPCT
It seems the future of the Yorke Peninsula Health bus beyond June 30 is on a knife-edge as various parties lobby for its continuance. "The indecision on the future of the Health Bus service to Yorke Peninsula is causing enormous concern to residents," Member for Goyder Steven Griffiths said yesterday (Monday).
"I wrote to Minister Hill in late April confirming my support for the service and seeking an opportunity for a delegation of representatives from YP Community Transport Services to meet with him and seek an extension of the Health Bus service beyond the trial period," he said.
"Confirmation was received late last week a meeting is to be held with the Minister, in Adelaide, on June 17, at which time we hope to be told the service is going to continue.
"The service is crucial in providing an affordable transport option to people requiring specialist medical treatment in Adelaide," Mr Griffiths said.
"With skyrocketing petrol prices, limited transport options and more health services being removed from rural areas, I am hopeful an announcement will be made sooner rather than later."
The six-month Health Bus trial commenced on August 6, 2007, and was extended to June 30, to allow Country Health SA and the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure to explore the feasibility of a future Health Bus Network.
The Health Bus has proved popular with passengers and their carers travelling to Adelaide for health-related appointments, with more than 1,000 using the service during the initial trial period.
If the Health Bus service was to be scrapped it would no doubt put funding pressure back on PATS (Patient Assistance Transport Scheme). Also, many of those using the Health Bus attend appointments not eligible for PATS funding, including dental, medical tests done by technicians, and some treatments provided by other health practitioners.
Other services under the microscope
With the Health Bus up in the air, Mr Griffiths said he was also concerned about the future of public hospitals within his electorate.
Given questions were raised in Parliament a month ago after reports the South Australian Government wants to close 25 country hospitals, Mr Griffiths has written to Minister Hill seeking confirmation on the future of hospitals in this region, including Balaklava, Wallaroo, Maitland and Yorketown.
This follows reports obstetrics services at YP Health's Yorketown Hospital will no longer be available from July 1.